Jay is a mission-focused and passionate leader wit deep roots in funeral service since 1993. After joining Vertin in 1995, he spent the next eighteen years as a managing funeral director of firms in West Central Minnesota until becoming a key member of Vertin’s leadership team in 2013. After leading the Operations Team for thirteen years, Jay transitioned to Vice President of Funeral Practice & Experience in 2026. In this role, Jay has the opportunity to ensure that Vertin remains an industry leader in truly honoring the lives of those we are called to serve by providing best-in-class service to their bereaved family and broader community. This work not only involves establishing Vertin’s best practice expectations but also allows Jay to use his experience to influence funeral service more broadly through advocacy with state and national boards, focused work on legislative issues, and interactions with mortuary schools as they prepare the
next generation of funeral directors. Jay continues to be honored and humbled by the opportunity to work for Vertin with some of the best professionals in funeral service.
